Quarry hearing wraps after five weeks

The Beveridge North West Precinct Structure Plan Ministerial Advisory Committee Hearing concluded on Tuesday 14 June after five weeks of submissions with the majority of the focus on the proposed quarry at 175 Northern Highway, Wallan.

Council maintained its strong position against the quarry and the severe implications it will have on our existing and future communities.

During the hearing, there was clear and thorough evidence put to the Committee in relation to the existing and future supply of hard rock in Melbourne’s north which proved there was simply no need for this quarry. By comparison to existing quarries and others that are permitted, if approved the proposed quarry would contribute a very small and insignificant amount of basalt to the market.

Council submitted that the proposed quarry application should be refused, as did other key parties, because there were clear failings in the documentation presented and it did not respond to the relevant legislative requirements.

Council understands the Committee will finalise its report and submit its findings to the State Government late July/early August for consideration. It will then be a decision for the Planning Minister to release the report either ahead of the decision or at a time when the decision is made.

Through the hearing process, it was clear that the proponent is seeking a substantial increase in time to extract the rock from the ground compared to the 20 years that had previously been proposed. It also became apparent that the hole in the ground that would be left once the quarry ceases operation would unlikely be rehabilitated back to natural ground level, or even close to it.

Council would like to thank the community members for their very powerful verbal submission to the hearing and to the hundreds of residents who made written submissions in opposition to the quarry.

Council hopes the Minister for Planning will carefully consider the overwhelming community opposition to the quarry demonstrated through submissions, a petition with more than 1600 signatures and the recent demonstration on the steps of Parliament House.